The warmth between them dissipated in an instant. Before Fu Liangmu could react, Su Wanwan had already fallen into a deep slumber in his arms.
The Maybach glided silently into the estate and halted before the villa. Uncle Zhang approached with a genial smile and opened the car door, only to find Su Wanwan resting her head serenely on Fu Liangmu's lap, sleeping soundly.
Just as Uncle Zhang was about to call someone to carry her inside, Fu Liangmu's quiet voice stopped him.
"Don't wake her."
Uncle Zhang nodded in understanding.
The next moment, he watched in disbelief as Fu Liangmu gently lifted Su Wanwan's head, carefully got out of the car, and then carried her inside in his arms.
Uncle Zhang rubbed his eyes in astonishment."Am I going blind in my old age…?"
Upstairs, Fu Liangmu placed Su Wanwan tenderly on the bed. As he straightened up, her hand suddenly gripped his wrist.
"Don't go…"
A shadow crossed Fu Liangmu's eyes."Bad girl. Sneaking alcohol—don't you think you deserve a little punishment?"
Her only response was the sweetness of sleep etched on her face.
Fu Liangmu reached out and pinched her cheek gently, his mind recalling that kiss in the stairwell.
"This time, I'll let you off the hook. There won't be a next time."
It had been a long time since Su Wanwan had experienced a hangover.
Upon waking, she quickly checked her clothes, only to realize they had been changed.
Fu Liangmu happened to step out of the bathroom, water droplets trailing from his damp hair.
"You're awake?"
Su Wanwan clutched the quilt tighter around her chest and asked tentatively,"I think I got drunk yesterday… I didn't throw up on myself, did I?"
Fu Liangmu saw right through her little ploy."A maid helped you change."
She exhaled a long breath of relief."Thanks."
"Next time you go somewhere dangerous, bring me along," he said calmly."At the very least, I can keep up appearances for you."
Su Wanwan merely smiled without a word.
She never asked why Fu Liangmu had shown up that night.
Because she knew—before she married into the Fu family, all necessary documents about her must have already landed on his desk.
He was fully aware of her every move.
She never believed his intervention at the jewelry store was mere coincidence or a moment of generosity.
He knew about her connection with Ye Nan.
After breakfast, Fu Liangmu as usual drove her to the company.
Before they even stepped in, they saw Ye Nan standing furiously by the entrance, cigarette between his fingers, a piece of gauze taped to his brow, faint traces of blood seeping through.
Su Wanwan ignored him and headed inside.
Ye Nan suddenly grabbed her wrist, his voice seething with fury.
"The contract—where is it?!"
After everything he'd done—groveling before Fu Liangmu, nearly sending his own woman into another man's bed—only to discover the contract had vanished!
Su Wanwan looked indifferent."Wasn't the contract handled by Su Nian and Mr. Gao? Why ask me?"
"You have the audacity to say that?! If not for you, Nian Nian wouldn't have nearly fallen into a predator's trap!"
His grip was so tight it felt like he might crush her bones.
"Su Wanwan, you knew exactly what kind of man Gao was. You accepted the project just to set me up, didn't you? You exploited Nian Nian's kindness to hurt her—admit it!"
Su Wanwan looked at him as if he were mentally deficient.
"You're asking me that? A CEO of a public company, deliberately handing over a subordinate to some lecher in order to get what you want?"
Ye Nan's rage turned to mocking laughter.
"Still pretending to be pure?"
"Others might not know, but you think I don't?"
"You've slept with so many men—what's one more?"
Su Wanwan's eyes turned icy. Her right hand swung sharply—
Smack!
The crisp sound of a slap echoed.
"You really think everyone's as filthy as you?"
Ye Nan licked the blood from his lip, eyes bloodshot."You dare hit me?"
He raised his hand to strike back—
But there were too many people around. Employees were arriving. If he really hit her, it would be all over the headlines by morning.
Grinding his teeth, he spat,"Su Wanwan, just you wait!"
Unafraid of his threats, Su Wanwan walked calmly into the building and settled at her desk, idly scribbling with her pen.
Some time passed, then a shadow loomed over her desk.
Her pen paused mid-stroke."Do you need something?"
Su Nian stood before her, eyes brimming with fake tears.
From the moment she entered, curious glances from all over the office followed.
"Sister, could you please return the contract to Ye Nan?"
Her voice was syrupy sweet, melting the bones of many listening men.
She spoke gently, with a tone full of sympathy and pity.
"I know you worked hard to secure this deal… even had to go through that with Mr. Gao…"
"But no one can deny your capabilities."
"Since the contract is already signed, why not hand it over?"
"I'll explain everything to Ye Nan and ask him to compensate you generously."
Whispers immediately spread among the onlookers—
"Mr. Gao? She closed the deal with that Gao?"
"Don't even mention that bastard! Just thinking about him makes me sick! Always eyeing women like a creep."
"I had to deal with him once too—ran off the moment I saw the look in his eyes!"
"Did she really sleep with him to get the contract…?"
"Disgusting! I feel nauseous just imagining it."
"Who is she anyway? Never noticed her before."
"Su… Su Wanwan, right? The so-called daughter from the countryside they brought back. Totally useless."
"Yeah, I heard that too. Got in here through connections, doesn't do any real work, just slacks off all day."
Contempt rippled through the room.
Su Nian, pleased with the reaction, curled her lips and fanned the flames.
"Sister, I know what happened must have hurt you… But you really helped Ye Nan out a lot."
"Didn't you always ask me how to catch his attention?"
"Well, I'm sure after this, he'll never forget you."
That last line ignited the powder keg.
The female employees exploded—
"She dares to seduce the boss?!"
"I knew something was off in the way she looked at him!"
"A countryside girl thinking she can marry into wealth? Keep dreaming!"